O’FALLON CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
January 19, 2010
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Mayor Gary Graham who led the Council in “The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.”
Philip Goodwin, City Clerk, called the roll: Nila Grogan, present; Gene McCoskey, present; Ed True, excused; Dan Polites, present; Rick Reckamp, present; Jerry Mouser, present; John~Drolet, present; David Snyder, present; Michael Bennett, present; Dennis Renner, present; Ned Drolet, present; Steve Engler, present; Jerry Albrecht, present; David Cozad, present. A quorum was declared present.
Motion by J. Mouser and seconded by N. Grogan to approve the minutes of
January 4, 2010. R. Reckamp stated that on page 2, 4th line, he wanted to clarify his statement to say he had a concern about the City giving away free burial plots for people who were capable of paying for it. Motion by R. Reckamp and seconded by D. Snyder to amend the minutes. All ayes. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – The Mayor opened the hearing at 7:05 p.m. for consideration of the Designation in the City of the Regency Park Redevelopment Area and the approval of the Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Project for such redevelopment area pursuant to the Illinois Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act. The Mayor called three times for public input, but no one came forward. The Mayor closed the hearing at 7:06 p.m.
RESIDENTS - Joe Obel stepped forward to comment on the ordinance pertaining to licensing landlords. He suggested that tenants should register with the City when it is occupancy inspection time. He also said that the tenant should be ultimately responsible for paying the water bills and not the owner. Mayor Graham stated that the citizens of O’Fallon own the water utility and they do not want to be responsible for unpaid water bills. He added that it is the owner’s responsibility to check the credit rating of the tenant.
John Black also came forward to speak on the subject. He suggested a meter deposit to be placed on each account. He also stated that the fines could be up to $4,500 a month for his investments. He added he would be interested in volunteering to rewrite the ordinance. Mayor Graham added that we have 11,000 units to worry about. He contends that in fifteen years, we will have a problem without this ordinance in place. He added that our number one asset is our home.
Joni Schaefer stepped forward to represent property owners; they do not want crime either. She would like them to be part of the process. She is concerned that it will affect the military. Mayor Graham replied that he thought it did not include single family homes. J. Betten said they are researching the issue. The last thing we want to do is cause hardship to the military.
Mayor Graham added that if you have written comments bring them in.
REPORTS:
Clerk’s Report: City Clerk Goodwin read the following requests:
1. Request from the Knights of Columbus Council 592 to conduct a raffle from January 19 through February 2011 for a shotgun.
2. Request from the St. Clair Co. Extension & Education Funds to conduct a raffle on March 23, 2010 for a Longaberger basket.
- Request from Hospice of Southern Illinois to conduct a raffle from present to February 5, 2010 for various prizes.
Motion by D. Renner and seconded by J. Albrecht to approve the requests. All Ayes. Motion carried. R. Reckamp stated that it is providing that they meet all of the conditions of our policies.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Graham announced this month’s Southwestern Illinois Council of Mayors will be held at the Alton Belle Casino on Thursday, January 28th. Please RSVP to Jamie by Monday, January 25th.
Mayor Graham said he is looking at new committee assignments, so any requests should be submitted to Walter.
RESOLUTIONS: Mayor Graham read Item 1 – A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an agreement with Bernardin-Lochmueller & Associates (BLA) for professional services and IDOT MFT Funding Documentation for Land Acquisition Services pertaining to the widening and reconstruction of Milburn School Road (Sections 05-00056-00-FP And 06-00059- 00-PV) in an amount not to exceed $69,000.00. Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by D. Renner to approve.
D. Snyder asked what the professional services consisted of and D. Sullivan replied that it was for engineering services, and they are professionally registered. He added that because there is federal money involved there is an intricate, precise way of obtaining easements and right-of-ways.
ROLL CALL: Grogan, aye; McCoskey, aye; Polites, aye; Reckamp, aye; Mouser, aye; Drolet, J., aye; Snyder, aye; Bennett, aye; Renner, aye; Drolet, N., aye; Engler, aye; Albrecht, aye; Cozad, aye. Ayes - 13; Nays - 0. Motion carried.
Mayor Graham read Item 2 – A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Oates Associates and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) form for the design of the North Seven Hills Road, State Street, and Vincennes Road roundabout at a cost not to exceed $101,500. Motion by R. Reckamp and seconded by J. Albrecht to approve.
ROLL CALL: Grogan, aye; McCoskey, aye; Polites, aye; Reckamp, aye; Mouser, aye; Drolet, J., aye; Snyder, aye; Bennett, aye; Renner, aye; Drolet, N., aye; Engler, no; Albrecht, aye; Cozad, aye. Ayes - 12; Nays - 1. Motion carried.
ORDINANCES:
1st Readings – None listed.
2nd Readings – None brought forward.
STANDING COMMITTEES –
Community Development: Motion by J. Mouser and seconded by J. Albrecht to affirm the decision of the Zoning Hearing Officer to deny the zoning variance to all rock driveways instead of concrete or asphalt driveways in an SR-3 zone district at 302 East Jefferson.
D. Renner stated that it was his understanding that it was a rock driveway there before, and that it will create an undue hardship for them if they have to pave it.
T. Shekell replied that a new structure has to have a driveway with asphalt or concrete and hers actually has two. The ordinance is clear that it has to be paved.
M. Bennett asked whether it was commercial or residential, and T. Shekell replied that it was residential. He also wanted clarification on the other driveways presented in the examples. T. Shekell said two of them were being used as workshops. Another one had items that were worked out with the staff. The last one was 10 feet off of an existing alley, and it was missed.
J. Mouser said that in committee, they were granted extra time to accomplish the paving.
D. Renner commented that Ms. Hughes should be permitted to speak since she was present.
Ms. Hughes stated that there have been other grass or rock driveways since July 2006. She said that Don Kruep, contractor, verified that he was not told of the paved driveways requirements. She passed out more pictures of examples.
Mayor Graham asked her if it was a financial hardship, and she replied that they could have made adjustments in their plans to stay within budget, if they knew the driveway had to be paved. Biltmore turned in their plans to the city. She added that the new applications have been revised to make it clear since she submitted her plans.
Discussion ensued about the other properties that she presented with rock or gravel driveways and the enforcement of the ordinance. Mayor Graham stated that the Zoning Hearing Officer made his decision based on the ordinance.
ROLL CALL: Grogan, no; McCoskey, aye; Polites, no; Reckamp, aye; Mouser, aye; Drolet, J., no; Snyder, aye; Bennett, no; Renner, no; Drolet, N., no; Engler, no; Albrecht, aye; Cozad, aye. Ayes - 6; Nays - 7. Motion failed.
J. Mouser stated that the next meeting is scheduled at 6:00 p.m. on January 25th. They will have a Special meeting on January 26th at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the rental property ordinance. Both meetings will be held in the Mayor’s Conference room.
Public Works: R. Reckamp said the next meeting is scheduled on January 25th at 7:00 p.m. They will discuss the white paper that D. Sullivan, City Engineer had given out.
Public Safety: N. Drolet stated that the next meeting will be February 8th at 7:00 p.m. He had planned on meeting with Mr. Peter Cantwell regarding alarm systems and fees, but it has since been cancelled.
Finance/Administration: Motion by M. Bennett and seconded by J. Albrecht to approve Warrant #200 in the amount of $1,191,376.30.
ROLL CALL: Grogan, aye; McCoskey, aye; Polites, aye; Reckamp, aye; Mouser, aye; Drolet, J., aye; Snyder, aye; Bennett, aye; Renner, aye; Drolet, N., aye; Engler, aye; Albrecht, aye; Cozad, aye. Ayes - 13; Nays - 0. Motion carried.
M. Bennett said the next meeting is scheduled January 25th at 5:30 p.m.
Parks and Environment: D. Renner said the minutes are attached.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion by R. Reckamp and seconded by N. Grogan to go into closed session to discuss pending litigation. All ayes. Motion carried. Council went into executive Session at 7:59 and returned at 8:41 p.m.
Mayor Graham announced that Fontabella will be opening at 950 Hartman Lane.
They met the code. T. Shekell added that it is a duplex, and it is single-family property. Three women will be on one side and the house parents will be on the other side. It is established as a home – not a business.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by R. Reckamp and seconded by J. Albrecht to adjourn. All ayes. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Submitted by,
__________________________
Philip A. Goodwin
City Clerk
Minutes taken by
Maryanne Fair, Deputy City Clerk
Proper notice having been duly given
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